KUCHING: All students living in hostels in Sarawak can now return to their respective hometowns without having to undergo the COVID-19 RT-PCR test, following the state government's announcement to extend the closure of educational institutions in red zones until May 10.

The decision was among others announced by the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), which includes imposing the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) at Rumah Panjang (Rh) Awit in Julau, Rh Papit (Sarikei), and Rh Andrew (Pakan) from April 28 to May 11.

The EMCO is also imposed at SM Melugu (Sri Aman), Rh Janting (Simunjan) and Rh Uming (Bintangor) from April 28 to May 12, and Rh Naning (Sarikei) from April 30 to May 6.

A total of 522 new cases and two deaths were reported in Sarawak today.

The Sarawak State Health Department also identified six new clusters, namely Tabuan Jaya, Taman Pelita and Tabuan Melayu in Kuching, Durin (Bau), Sileng Dayak (Lundu) and Sains Bakam (Miri).

-- BERNAMA